NHL News: Devils coach Sheldon Keefe makes bold statement after snapping skid with win over Blackhawks

The New Jersey Devils secured a crucial 5-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, snapping a three-game losing streak. Dawson Mercer led the charge with two goals, while Luke Hughes contributed three assists.

Goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 21 saves to help the Devils maintain their playoff push, extending their lead over the New York Islanders to nine points in the race for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks continued their struggles, suffering their eighth loss in the last nine games despite a solid effort from Spencer Knight, who recorded 15 saves.

The hard-fought win provided a much-needed confidence boost for theDevils.“It was exactly what we needed,” said head coach Sheldon Keefe, per NHL.com. “It’s great for us. We need to find our way through these situations. It was good.”

Keefe emphasized the significance of handling high-pressure moments, adding, “I liked that the intensity, the emotion, and the urgency of the game really ratcheted up at the end, and we had to find our way through that. That’s really important for us. So, to do that and still get the two points, I think is a good day for us.”

Devils vs. Blackhawks: An electrifying game

The game opened with Nathan Bastian putting the Devils on the board, finishing off a precise pass from Hughes. Mercer doubled the lead on a power play, capitalizing on a rebound. The Blackhawks responded with a power-play goal of their own from Tyler Bertuzzi, cutting the deficit to 2-1.

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Ondrej Palat extended the Devils’ advantage with a shorthanded goal, but Ilya Mikheyev brought the Blackhawks back within striking distance. A disallowed goal by Ryan Donato kept the Devils in front before Mercer struck again on the power play, making it 4-2. A late goal from Frank Nazar tightened the score to 4-3, but the Devils held firm in the closing moments.

Devils look to cement their position in the Metropolitan Division

With this victory, the Devils strengthened their hold on third place in the Metropolitan Division, creating more separation from the Islanders. Keefe’s emphasis on intensity and urgency highlights the importance of every point as the season progresses. The Devils will look to build on this momentum as they aim to solidify their NHL playoff position.